Transitional Kindergarten

Transitional kindergarten (TK) bridges the pre-kindergarten and kindergarten years. It is the first year of a two-year kindergarten program that has been implemented in California for children who are not old enough yet for kindergarten, but want to build their social, developmental and academic skills.

TK classrooms are taught by a multiple-subject credentialed teacher and the TK curriculum is based on the California Preschool Learning Foundations and the Kindergarten Common Core Standards. TK is offered at select SFUSD Early Education Schools and elementary schools. 

No, even if a child is TK eligible, parents have a choice of whether they want to enroll their child in TK or preschool. 

The eligibility for TK will expand every year until all 4-year-olds are eligible in 2025-2026. To learn more, read about the new state law. 

For the 2024-25 school year, TK is for students who will be turning age 5 between September 2, 2024 and June 2, 2025.

For the 2025-26 school year, TK is for students who will be turning age 5 between September 2, 2025 and September 1, 2026.

(California law requires that children be age 5 on or before September 1 of the school year to be eligible for kindergarten, and age 6 on or before September 1 of the school year to be eligible for first-grade.) See the age chart below.

Students who complete TK at an Elementary School will automatically be promoted to Kindergarten at that school. Students who complete TK at an Early Education School or Mission Education Center will be required to apply for kindergarten the following year and will receive a tiebreaker preference if they choose to continue kindergarten in their attendance area.

For the 2025-26 School year, see which grade to apply to based on your child's birthdate:

For the 2024-25 School year, if your child will be...

TK is offered at select SFUSD Early Education Schools and elementary schools.

For the 2025-26 school year, SFUSD is adding 12 new TK programs. 

View the full list of schools offering TK for the 2025-26 school year: 

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If you are interested in learning about specific schools, you can find school information, including school videos, at the Discover SFUSD Schools page. 

Applying for TK is similar to the application and enrollment process for elementary school grades.

For the 2024-2025 school year, families should complete the 2024-2025 application form and submit it to the Enrollment Center. 

For the 2025-26 school year, families should complete the 2025-26 application form (available 10/18) and submit it to the Enrollment Center.

For more information on TK including eligibility for upcoming school years, tiebreakers, and a list of frequently asked questions, view our TK expansion page. 

You can also contact the Enrollment Center at (415) 241-6085 with any additional questions.